Parents Voice Concerns Over Book Fair Suspension in Greenville County

Parents Voice Concerns Over Book Fair Suspension in Greenville County

GREENVILLE COUNTY, S.C. – A bustling atmosphere filled the Greenville County School Board meeting on Tuesday night as parents gathered to express their dissatisfaction regarding the district’s recent decision to suspend book fairs this school year. The decision comes in response to new guidelines from the South Carolina Department of Education, which were issued on August 1, mandating that school materials be deemed “age-appropriate.”

Many parents assert that they are losing their freedoms due to the district’s actions. One parent expressed frustration, stating, “I want my children and me to have the choice without the state getting in the way of deciding which materials will grow their minds.” This sentiment echoed throughout the room, with several speakers calling for more autonomy in deciding educational content.

Another concerned parent brought attention to the ongoing teacher shortage, pointing out that educators are often treated poorly, which contributes to the lack of teachers in schools. “They’re treated like children instead of the professionals that they are,” the parent said.

As speakers took turns to voice their concerns, Dr. Dylan Flispey, a father of two, stated, “Whatever’s out there that they’re afraid their kids can’t handle, their kids are going to find. And you’re ruining lives when you take knowledge away from people.” His comments resonated with the audience, eliciting approval and agreement.

Superintendent Dr. W. Burke Royster clarified that the pause on book fairs was put in place to protect school employees. “We have an obligation to protect our employees… No one has ‘cancelled’ a book fair in this district. We have ‘paused’ those book fairs,” he explained, though his comments were met with laughter from the crowd, indicating their skepticism.

Chair of the Board of Trustees, Carolyn Styles, attempted to maintain order amidst escalating tensions, stating, “We have allowed time for speakers… and this will be the last warning,” as she banged her gavel to regain focus.

As discussions continued, the board voted against an amendment that aimed to eliminate school review committees, which include parent members. Board member Anne Pressley commented on the new regulations, stating, “This, for the most part, is dirty bath water.” She emphasized that the regulations were flawed and could harm the educational system.

The State Board of Education recently commended the Greenville County School District for its cautious approach to navigating these new regulations. The community remains unsettled as the district looks for a balanced way to assess educational materials while honoring parental rights.